Jaime Escalante, the innovative Los Angeles math teacher who inspired the 1988 film Stand And Deliver, died at 79 Tuesday after a battle with bladder cancer, RadarOnline.com has learned.

The well-respected educator — who revamped Los Angeles’ Garfield High into one of the country’s best math schools — died in Reno, Nevada Tuesday, as he was in the state to undergo treatment for the disease.

Actor Edward James Olmos, who was nominated for a best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Escalante in the critically-acclaimed film, said Escalante died “surrounded by his children and grandchildren.”